Ventura County Focus / West | VENTURA

Gas Station Owner Indicted in Tax Case

The former owner of a Ventura gas station has been indicted on charges he failed to pay $129,000 in federal excise taxes, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Donald R. Looman, 59, of Santa Maria allegedly failed to report and pay taxes owed on sales of diesel fuel in the city in 1992, said Assistant U.S. Atty. William W. Carter. He owned Tri-Counties Gascard on Main Street.

Looman was charged with four counts of felony tax evasion, each of which carries a maximum penalty of $250,000, and could include up to five years in federal prison, Carter said. Looman would also have to pay the $129,000 in taxes, as well as any interest or penalties, Carter said.

Federal law requires an excise tax of 20.1 cents a gallon on the sale of diesel fuel. The money helps finance the federal Highway Trust Fund. The charges against Looman are the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. A trial has not yet been set, Carter said.